• Home
  • Texas
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Mississippi
  • New England
  • Communities
  • Log in
SUBSCRIBE
LOG INSIGN UP
Markets:
  • Texas
    • Houston
    • DFW
    • Austin
    • San Antonio
    • West TX
    • Panhandle
    • The Valley
    • SETX
    • Deep East
    • Central TX
    • Private Schools
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
    • Public Schools
    • Private Schools
  • Mississippi
  • Oklahoma
  • VYPE Media
  • VYPE Live
  • VYPE U
  • Video
  • Magazine
  • Recruiting
  • Photos
  • Polls
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Scores
  • VYPE Campus
  • Home
  • State
  • City
  • Type

PREGAME: Can the Bayou City get back in the state basketball conversation?

Matt Malatesta
Nov 06, 2019

At our annual VYPE Houston basketball photo shoot in early October, I took a moment to look around the gym – there is a ton of good-looking talent in Hoopston.

So, why can't the Bayou City bring back some basketball hardware at the private and public school level?

I know that elite talent comes in waves and Houston has had its share of late like McDonald's All-Americans De'Aaron Fox (Cy Lakes), Quentin Grimes (College Park), Jarred Vanderbilt (Victory Prep), Justise Winslow (St. John's) and the Harrison twins (Travis). But only Andrew and Aaron Harrison won a state title.

Take the girls. National recruits Charli Collier (Barbers Hill) and DiDi Richards (Cypress Ranch) got close, but couldn't close. The last superstar with a title was Manvel's Brianna Turner (Notre Dame), who won in...2014.

Some might say that Houston is going through a talent drought right now, but could that help?

Basketball is a TEAM sport, people. A TEAM sport.

Dallas is dominating Houston right now. Yes, they have talent, but they are balanced.

So, what gives?

Houston is so polarizing. It's not unified. So many kids are transferring here and there from public to private schools. It happens every year and it's hard to keep up with. I get it, there's only one ball to go around and everyone is trying to get their minutes and shots. Everyone is trying to be the "Man" or "Woman" on their team.

That's great for getting recruited, but it's not great for coaches trying to win titles.

Here's another theory. Are there too many high schools diluting the talent? Dallas has super schools like Duncanville (4,451 students), Allen (6,664 students) and Plano (5,197.5 students). Cy-Fair, Fort Bend, HISD, Katy, Alvin and Humble have all built new schools, chopping up the talent and Katy ISD is slated to open its ninth high school next year.

So, here's a quick history lesson. Over the past 20 years, there have been 50 opportunities for Houston teams to win state if you count Class 6A, 5A and 4A titles. Houston has won 13 boys titles.

13?

Yates has won three times and Willowridge has two. Look at the teams who have won. Great TEAMS and great coaching. Cy Falls and North Shore were so balanced, while Yates is always loaded with athletic ROLE players. Ronnie Courtney has three titles – one at Bush and two a Willowridge – great coaching.

On the girls' side, Houston has five state titles – three with the Ogwumike sisters Neke, Chiney, Olivia and Erica. They are an anomaly.

How does Houston get back in the conversation? It's not hip or cool, H-Town has to go retro and get back to TEAM ball with ROLE players. Sprinkle some stardust in there and watch the trophy cases fill up.

...

State Titles

Boys

Cypress Falls, 2016

North Shore, 2014

Yates, 2013

Terry, 2013

Travis, 2013

Yates, 2010

Bush, 2010

Yates, 2009

Kingwood, 2005

Jones, 2004

Milby, 2004

Willowridge, 2001

Willowridge, 2000

…

GIRLS

Cypress Woods, 2015

Manvel, 2014

Cy-Fair, 2010

Cy-Fair, 2008

Westfield, 2004

yates basketball cypress falls basketball north shore basketball terry basketball kingwood basketball milby basketball willowridge basketball manvel basketball cypress woods basketball westfield basketball houston basketball tapps basketball uil basketball spc basketball

GALLERY: Flower Mound Marcus vs. Lake Travis baseball

Shana Willeford
28 Feb, 2021
Aidan Ownby (VYPE Special Contributor)

Saturday afternoon, Flower Mound Marcus baseball faced off against Lake Travis in the Texas High School Baseball Classic at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. With a two-hour time limit for each game for the event, the Marauders finished the game in a 3-3 tie with the Cavaliers.

Read More... Read Less
dallas fort worth high school sports dfw high school sports flower mound marcus baseball flower mound marcus high school marauders baseball marcus baseball marcus marauders flower mound marcus

VYPE Live - 5A Regional Quarterfinal Boys Basketball: Anderson vs. Hendrickson

VYPE Live
27 Feb, 2021

Join our VYPE Live crew for this Texas High School Basketball match-up on Saturday, February 27:

2PM - 5A Regional Quarterfinal Boys Basketball: Anderson vs. Hendrickson

VYPE Live - 5A Regional Semifinal Girls Basketball: Cedar Park vs. CC Veterans Memorial

VYPE Live
27 Feb, 2021

Join our VYPE Live crew for this Texas High School Basketball match- up on Saturday, February 27:

 2PM - 5A Regional Semifinal Girls Basketball: Cedar Park vs. CC Veterans Memorial

TRENDING

VYPE Houston Linebacker of the Year Fan Poll

Diamond Stars: VYPE's Top 21 Baseball Preseason Prospects

Future Backfield Duo of UT Football?

VYPE Live - Track & Field: Dick Phillips Relays, Episcopal High School

VYPE Live Lineup - Saturday 2/27/21

GAMES

VYPE Live Lineup - Saturday 2/27/21

VYPE Live - Track & Field: Dick Phillips Relays, Episcopal High School

VYPE Live - 5A Regional Quarterfinal Boys Basketball: Anderson vs. Hendrickson

VYPE Live - 5A Regional Semifinal Girls Basketball: Cedar Park vs. CC Veterans Memorial

VYPE Live - Baseball: McNeil vs. Cedar Park

VYPE Live Lineup - Friday 2/26/21

VYPE Live - Boys Basketball: Ridge Point vs. Cy Creek

VYPE Live - Boys Basketball: Elkins vs. Heights

VYPE Live - TAPPS DII Regional Girls Soccer: St. Michael's vs. Emery Weiner

VYPE Live - TAPPS DII Regional Boys Soccer: St. Michael's vs. Lutheran South

VYPE Live - Baseball: St. John's vs. Northshore

VYPE Live - Baseball: St. John's vs. Pasadena Memorial

VYPE Live - Baseball: McNeil vs. East View

VYPE Live - Basketball: Purple Lakers vs. Spurs

VYPE Live - Basketball: Second Baptist First Graders

VYPE Live Lineup - Thursday 2/25/21

VYPE Live - Baseball: St. Johns vs. Second Baptist

VYPE Live - Baseball: St. Johns vs. Sam Houston

VYPE Live - TAPPS 5A Bi-district Girls Basketball: St. Michael's vs. CC John Paul

VYPE Live - Girls Lacrosse: St. Andrews vs. ESD

Join the #VYPETEAM

Get up to date news from all over the country! 

FROM THE WEB

VYPE Football 2020 Preview: Class 6A - No. 1 North Shore

Inside the Program: John Cooper School Girls Cross Country

Gatesville High football coach headed to join Art Briles at Mount Vernon

Michael Rose hired as Midland High boys' and girls' Tennis coach

Zachary High track star Sean Burrell overcomes injuries to win Louisiana Gatorade boys track award

CONNECT WITH US
Connect With Us
Copyright Ⓒ VYPE - All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Board Directory